Bureau of Land Management National Park Service U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Forest Service

Sturgeon River, Michigan

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Managing Agency:

U.S. Forest Service, Hiawatha National Forest


Designated Reach:

March 3, 1992. From the north line of Section 26, T43N, R19W, to Lake Michigan.


Classification/Mileage:

Scenic — 21.7 miles; Recreational — 22.2 miles; Total — 43.9 miles.

Sturgeon River, Hiawatha National Forest

Photo Credit: Mark Beezhold

Sturgeon River (Hiawatha National Forest)

The Sturgeon Wild and Scenic River, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, has outstanding wildlife, heritage, ecological and hydrologic resources. It is one of the few areas on the Upper Peninsula with a southern-floodplain microclimate. Early summer and late fall are the best times to canoe the Sturgeon River. Two rapids challenge canoeists; elusive brown trout, steelhead and salmon challenge anglers. The river enters Lake Michigan at the historic town of Nahma.